Using the answer key well
An answer key is more than a list of right answers. Used well, it speeds up marking, lets pupils check themselves, and shows you where a class is stuck. Every Maths Library sheet can print with a key on its own page, at the foot of the sheet, or not at all.
Choose where the key goes
The default is a separate page, so you can hand out the sheet and keep the key. Choose "foot of sheet" for a self-marking exercise where pupils fold or cover the answers. Choose "off" when you want to print the sheet only. The setting is in the inspector next to the sheet, and the key is generated from the same questions, so it always matches.
Read the working, not just the answer
Under each answer the key lists short steps for questions where they help. When a pupil gets a wrong answer, the steps show the likely route to it. A wrong answer to adding fractions that equals the sum of the tops over the sum of the bottoms points to a specific misconception, and the topic pages list the common ones for each topic, so you can reteach the right thing.
Mark with the marks
Each question carries a mark in square brackets. Give the full mark for a correct answer, and part marks for correct method with an arithmetic slip. For multi-mark questions, decide in advance which step earns which mark and write it in the margin. Consistent marking matters more than the exact split.
Let pupils mark their own work
Self-marking works if pupils use a different colour pen and correct, rather than simply tick. Ask them to write the correct answer next to a wrong one and to put a short note on what went wrong. The key's steps give them the words for it. Spot-check a few sheets so the habit stays honest.
Use the key to plan the next lesson
After marking, tally the questions most pupils missed. Questions are labelled in the left margin of the editor with letters, which helps when you discuss them with a colleague. If half the class missed question 6, open the question, look at its topic and difficulty, and generate a fresh sheet focused on that topic at a lower difficulty.
Check the key yourself
Generated answers are computed by the same code that wrote the question, which removes most errors, but you should still check a few. Pick the hardest question, solve it independently and compare. If you edit a question's wording in the editor, remember that a changed question is a custom one: the key then shows "Marker to decide" unless you type an answer for it. Always add the answer when you write your own question.
Keep keys private
If pupils will use the same device or print queue, print the key last or collect it straight away. Version B of a sheet has different numbers and a different key, which is a simple way to stop answers being passed along.
Back to the guide to writing a good worksheet, or open the editor.